In the weekly Crop Progress and Condition report, USDA National Agricultural Statistics Service noted 18 percent of the wheat crop was mature as of June 13, behind 28 percent last year at this time. Statewide, the agency rated the wheat crop’s condition at 64 percent good to excellent, 25 percent fair and 11 percent poor to very poor.

Rains delayed the start of harvest in Texas, and custom harvesters were slow to move through Oklahoma. But with the extreme heat this week, many of them are moving into the southern portions of Kansas. Some test cutting began over the weekend and into the first part of the week, but by Wednesday, harvest was in full swing in south central Kansas.

Ernie Theilen with OK Coop Grain Co. in Kiowa, reported wheat harvest in Barber County started on June 12, but it is just now picking up speed, with custom cutters starting to arrive in the area. Initial yields are down a bit from last year, but quality is comparable.

Theilen said this year’s growing season was decent with less impact than expected from the Arctic freeze, due to sufficient moisture or ground cover. Overall, he expects to see an average to above-average crop by the time harvest is complete.